Police Follow-up Scam

This scam is also known as the "Double-Play". It is perhaps one of the most vicious of all of the scams. It is always played upon someone who has been victimized by a previous con game, or in some instances a more common crime such as robbery or burglary.

The key to this crime occurring is usually the fact that the original suspects learned the victim still has sizable sums of cash. The suspects in the previous crime pass on this information to others who specialize in the impersonation of police officers and commit this second crime.

The new suspects, armed with the particulars of the previous crime, approach the victim at their residence and identify themselves as police officers. They describe the previous crime in detail and tell the victim that the suspects in the original crime have been caught and that they have recovered the victim's money. They tell the victim that they can't release the money right now as it is needed as evidence and they have uncovered evidence that an employee at the bank was also involved. Shortly after the suspects arrive, the victim may receive a phone call from someone who will identify himself or herself as a police official. This person asks the victim if the "officers" have arrived. This call is designed to help to convince the victim that the people at the door really are officers and to induce the victim's voluntary cooperation. The suspects, at the victim's house, may talk to the caller to bolster the victim's belief they are dealing with legitimate law enforcement officers.

They tell the victim that they need their help to catch this dishonest employee in the act of stealing. Once the victim agrees, they instruct the victim to go their bank and withdraw a sizable amount of money so the suspect can be caught red-handed. The amount is usually under $9,000 dollars to avoid mandatory reporting by the bank. They tell the victim that no money will actually be withdrawn from their account because the police department or the bank has arranged to replenish the account. After the withdrawal the suspects take the money and leave. In some cases they have given the victim a receipt.